In Maharashtra, amid growing Jain ire, why BJP is struggling to mend the ties

The controversial Pune land deal has escalated tensions between them, especially after allegations have been levelled now against Pune’s BJP MP and Union Minister, Murlidhar Mohol, for his association with the private builder who purchased the trust property.

What is the new conflict?

The current controversy is centred on a 3.5-acre property in Pune’s Model Colony owned by the SHNT. The trust property includes a Jain temple as well as a boarding facility, which was established in 1958 for students from the underprivileged section.

Earlier this year, the Charity Commissioner reportedly approved the trust’s land deal with Gokhale Constructions. The Jain protesters, including monks community leaders and the boarding centre’s alumni, allege that the land deal violates the trust deed, conceals the existence of the temple, and undermines the land’s charitable purpose.

The SHNT is among Pune’s oldest Jain charitable institutions, known for offering affordable accommodation and promoting education for economically weaker students.

For the community, the trust land sale is said to represent a “betrayal of its religious and philanthropic legacy”, sparking one of Maharashtra’s largest Jain-led protests over the last several years.

The row took a political turn recently when Mohol was accused of having links with the developer. Mohol has denied the allegations and assured the Jain community leaders that the issue would be resolved amicably.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis subsequently summoned Mohol to Mumbai for discussions. Mohol then met some Jain leaders and pledged to fulfil their demands, even as protests continued.

The BJP-led Mahayuti government has since ordered a status quo on the trust land deal and an inquiry into the legality of the sale. Gokhale Constructions said last Sunday that it was backing out of the deal.

How influential is Jain community?

According to the 2011 Census, Maharashtra has around 14 lakh Jains, accounting for 32% of India’s Jain population, though they make up just 1.25% of the state’s population. The community has a strong presence in Mumbai (5.4%), Mumbai Suburban (3.7%), and Aurangabad (0.8%).

Despite their small numbers, Jains wield significant political and economic influence. The state Assembly currently has seven Jain MLAs, six from the BJP and one from its ally. The community has historically provided the BJP with both financial support and electoral strength, especially in urban constituencies.

Why has this been a year of friction?

The first point of friction between the community and the government surfaced in April this year, when the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) demolished parts of a century-old Digambar Jain temple in Vile Parle, citing illegal construction. The action followed a city civil court order that denied the temple trust an extension of interim protection.

On April 19, thousands of Jains staged a silent march to the BMC’s K-East ward office in Andheri East, demanding accountability. The Maharashtra State Minority Commission, led by a BJP activist Pyare Khan, termed this demolition “premature” and called for better consultation with the community.

Another point of conflict was the government’s crackdown on kabutarkhanas, pigeon-feeding enclosures that hold spiritual significance for Jains as a symbol of jeev daya (compassion for all life).

On July 3, during a Legislative Council session, minister and Shiv Sena leader Uday Samant announced the closure of 51 kabutarkhanas across Mumbai, citing public health concerns. The BMC followed up with enforcement drives, fining individuals and sealing kabutarkhanas.

The Bombay High Court, on July 31, directed the police to file FIRs against those “illegally” feeding pigeons despite the ban. On August 2, all kabutarkhanas, including an iconic one in Dadar, were covered with grey tarpaulin, sparking protests from the community.

In another row, a 36-year-old elephant named Mahadevi, housed for three decades at the Jain Math in Kolhapur’s Nandani village, was relocated to Gujarat’s Vantara Elephant Sanctuary following a PETA complaint. The move, based on a court order citing the elephant’s health issues, triggered widespread protests in Kolhapur. After the Supreme Court upheld the relocation, thousands marched on the streets, demanding her return, invoking emotional and religious ties.

What has been BJP’s response?

In view of Jains’ growing unease, the BJP has moved swiftly to contain the fallout, deploying several of its senior leaders and Jain faces to engage with protesters.

After the temple demolition, some BJP leaders joined demonstrations and solidarity marches. Amid outrage over the pigeon-feeding ban, Fadnavis partially rolled back the restrictions, instructing the BMC to allow controlled feeding of pigeons at kabutarkhanas until a holistic plan was ready.

On the Pune land row, the CM has also sought to reassure the protesters. “The issue is between a private builder and the Jain community. We have taken into consideration the feelings of the community. We have taken a stand and we are working towards a solution which is as per the wishes of the Jain community,” he said.

While the BJP is keen to prevent the deterioration of its relationship with the community, some Jain leaders admit that this year has tested their ties.

“The relationship between the BJP and the Jain community is very strong and we have been aligned with the party. However, over the past few months it is an open fact that Jains have increasingly been forced to agitate in spite of a friendly government. While I do not believe that the BJP is deliberately instigating the community, I will not be too harsh in stating that some seeds of rancour have been sown in the minds of the community against the ruling establishment over a string of events,” said a Jain leader.

Some others argue that the recent flare-ups were “coincidental, not political”.

“No other government has done as much as what the BJP has done for the community over the past few years. A Jain Minority Development and Finance Corporation was set up in the state for the first time. A large tract of land has been leased to the Jain International Organisation for school purposes. A cow commission has been set up. To say that this government is hostile against Jains would be a fallacy. Protests are an integral part of a democratic set-up, and the government is committed to addressing the concerns of all communities including Jains,” said the state BJP’s Jain cell chief Sandeep Bhandari.